ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is hoping for a “positive outcome” in the next round of talks with the Afghan Taliban set for November 6, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said Friday, while calling on Kabul to honor its security commitments and prevent cross-border terrorism.
Briefing reporters in Islamabad, Andrabi confirmed the conclusion of four-day discussions in Istanbul between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, talks that were initially planned to last two days. He said Pakistan extended the negotiations “in an effort to reach an amicable agreement.”
Responding to a Pakistan TV Digital question on the difference in tone between his remarks and those of Pakistan’s defense minister, Andrabi said, “It is our professional hazard to be optimistic.”
“I would call it guarded optimism,” he said. “We have been engaged with the Taliban for four years.
“It’s difficult to be optimistic, but one must remain hopeful.”
A joint statement issued by Türkiye and Qatar on Thursday noted that Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a ceasefire mechanism along with a monitoring and verification framework intended to maintain peace and impose penalties for violations.
Andrabi stressed that Pakistan had engaged “positively” without compromising its stance that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against Pakistan.
He said Islamabad “expects the Afghan Taliban regime to honor its commitments to the international community” and take “concrete and verifiable actions” against terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), referred to by Pakistani officials as “Fitna al-Khwarij,” and militants linked to India, described as “Fitna Al-Hindustan.”
He said Pakistan had repeatedly provided Kabul with credible intelligence on the presence of these groups inside Afghanistan, yet cross-border attacks had increased in recent months.
The spokesperson referred to “unprovoked aggression” along the border in October, warning that Pakistan would respond “resolutely” if such provocations continued.
Despite tensions, Andrabi said Pakistan remains committed to a stable relationship with its western neighbor, adding that Islamabad has supported Afghanistan through transit trade concessions, elevated diplomatic ties to ambassador level, and agreed to expand the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, he noted, has visited Kabul three times this year, including to sign the Joint Feasibility Study for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway project.
“The Government and armed forces of Pakistan stand ready to take all possible measures to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty and ensure the safety and security of its people,” Andrabi said, adding that Pakistan would continue to engage in mediation efforts.
He thanked Qatar and Türkiye for their “constructive role.”
On Gaza
The spokesperson said consultations on an international stabilization force for Gaza are ongoing among regional partners. Pakistan, he said, will continue working with Arab and Islamic countries to secure “lasting peace” and the Palestinians’ “right to self-determination,” while condemning renewed Israeli strikes as a “flagrant” violation of international law.
On US sanctions waiver for India
Regarding the US decision to allow India to operate Iran’s Chabahar Port under a six-month sanctions waiver, Andrabi said Pakistan has “taken note” and “welcomes any decision that leads to economic development in our brotherly country Iran,” but cautioned that India must not “abuse this opening to promote terrorism or subversion through adjacent borders.”
On US–India defense framework
Andrabi described the recent US–India defense understanding as still under review, saying Islamabad is “evaluating [it], particularly with reference to its impact on peace, security, and stability in South Asia,” and would comment further at a later stage.
Pakistan–EU migration dialogue
The spokesperson also discussed the third Pakistan–EU Migration and Mobility Dialogue held in Islamabad this week, in which both sides reviewed progress under the EU Readmission Agreement and Talent Partnership roadmap.
He said both sides appreciated the “growing level of cooperation” and agreed to hold the next round in Brussels.
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